Posen aims to give Momrik 100th win tonight

January 31, 2013

TWINING-Tonight's Posen-Arenac Eastern girls basketball game would seem to be just another season game in the North Star League.

Posen (15-0, 10-0 NSL) is well known for being a tough team but Arenac Eastern (10-4, 6-3 NSL) is no slouch.

But a win for the Vikings would hit a career milestone for coach Karl Momrik: it would be his 100th win as Posen's head coach.

Article Photos

News File PhotoPosen girls basketball coach Karl Momrik holds the district trophy in March 2012 after the Vikings captured their third straight district championship.

The two teams play at 6 p.m. tonight at Arenac Eastern.

What makes this a unique milestone is that it comes in only his sixth year as coach, meaning Momrik's averaged just over 17 wins a season.

"I've been blessed with a lot of good players in Posen. A lot of amazing girls have come through this program and I owe it almost entirely to them," Momrik said.

Fact Box

Karl Momrik's year by-year record

2007: 9-11

2008: 17-3

2009: 15-8

2010: 22-2

2011: 21-3

2012: 15-0*

*current season

Posen has become a model of consistency under Momrik and is undefeated in the North Star League during the regular season since Jan. 2010. They have also won district titles each the last three seasons.

In spite of his team's successes, Momrik is not taking Arenac for granted.

"We got our eyes on Arenac. They played us tough into the third quarter earlier this season and really gave us a run for our money. Coach (Butch) Beckham is doing a great job over there and has built a good team. If there's one team we know isn't afraid of Posen, it's Arenac Eastern," he said.

Beckham is looking to give Posen a tough game.

"We're going to try to break their press and keep them from running out on us. If we can stick to that, we can give Posen a run for their money," he said.

Beckham is looking to players like Chantel Murdick, Brooke Schutte and Brooke Sendo as key players in tonight's game.

"Chantel should take a lead role tonight while my guards (Schutte and Sendo) are going to have the responsibility of breaking the press so they're going to be real important," he said.

Posen has tough players like Anna Couture, Austin Sharpe and Korynn Hincka and a deep bench that Momrik believes is vital to the Vikings' success.

"Without those kids coming off the bench, we couldn't be successful. It's a full-team effort to win a game," he said.

Win or lose tonight, Momrik remains humble about his successes as a coach.

"I like to guide the team, like a ship, to a position where each girl can be successful. Every player needs to know their place and buy into their role. That's a big part of what makes us successful. Players know that they might not score a lot but they can rebound or pass and set up plays in a way that sets up chances for our scorers," he said.

If Beckham has his way tonight, it could turn out differently for Posen.

"I don't want Karl coming in and getting that 100th win without a battle," Beckham said with a laugh.